Merchandise hanger assembly with scanner arm

ABSTRACT

A merchandise hanger assembly comprising a loop hook adapted to extend outwardly from a perforated panel and defined by first and second laterally spaced arms. A scanner arm includes a brace portion extending laterally across and welded to the inner ends of the hanger arms, an integral mid-portion extending outwardly above the hanger arms in laterally offset relation thereto, and an integral outer portion for supporting a merchandise tag.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an improved display hanger or "hook" of thetype which is attached to a perforated panel, such as a Pegboard, andserves to hold and display retail merchandise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basically, there are two different types of display hooks whichpresently are in wide use with perforated panels. The first is astandard single-arm wire hook of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,912,084 to S. Valiulis. Wire hooks of this type include a horizontallyextending hanger arm for supporting merchandise through a holeperforated in the product packaging.

A second type of hook which presently is being widely used is aso-called "loop hook". Loop hooks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,560,062 to S. Valiulis. Generally, they comprise a pair ofhorizontally spaced arms joined integrally at their outer ends anddefining a U-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

Both single-arm and loop hooks may be provided with a so-called "scannerarm". Scanner arms typically include an arm which extends horizontallyand supports a price tag, especially a price tag which may be "read" byan electronic scanning wand. An example of a single-arm hook with ascanning arm is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,360 to R. Barnes.

Loop hooks with a scanning arm are commercially available as well. Inparticular, prior art hooks have been fabricated from metal wire andhave included a conventional loop as described above. A horizontallyextending brace member is welded across the horizontally spaced wirearms near their inner ends. A scanner arm is welded to the brace memberand extends therefrom generally parallel to and centered between thewire arms.

The advantages of loop hooks with braces are well known, as are theadvantages of scanner arms. It will be appreciated, however, thatretailers typically use large numbers of hooks and that demand for thisproduct is extremely price sensitive. Accordingly, there is a continuingneed to reduce the cost of manufacturing such hooks.

The general object of the subject invention, therefore, is to provide asturdy loop hook with a scanner arm which is more easily, inexpensively,and reliably manufactured.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detaileddescription and upon reference to the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the primary object of the invention is achieved byfabricating a more or less conventional loop hook and then fabricatingboth a brace member and a scanner arm from a single piece of wire. Inaccordance therewith, the invention provides for a merchandise hangerassembly for use with perforated panels, which hanger assemblycomprises:

(a) first and second horizontally spaced arms connected at their outerends and defining a generally U-shaped configuration when viewed fromabove;

(b) means at the inner ends of the arms adapted to be inserted throughholes in a perforated panel for holding the hanger assembly in outwardlyextending relation to the perforated panel; and

(c) a third arm comprising an inner portion which bridges the first andsecond arms in the vicinity of their inner ends and is connectedthereto, a mid-portion which extends substantially parallel to the firstand second arms and preferably in laterally offset relation thereto, andan outer portion which is adapted to carry means for displaying amerchandise tag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a merchandisehanger assembly of the subject invention, the hanger assembly beingshown attached to a perforated panel and having a plastic tag holder.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hanger assembly shown in FIG 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the hanger assembly shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise hanger 10 of the subjectinvention is used with a display panel 20. The display panel 20 is ofconventional construction and includes several vertically spaced rows ofhorizontally spaced holes 21 extending through the panel. Perforatedpanels of this type, commonly referred to as Pegboard-type panels, arewidely available.

The merchandise hanger assembly 10 generally includes a loop hook, abrace for the loop hook, and a scanning arm. In particular, the loophook comprises a pair of horizontally spaced wire arms 11 (FIGS. 1-2)integrally joined to an outer wire bridge 12 and defining a U-shapedconfiguration when viewed from above. Formed integrally with the innerends of the arms are two generally upright fingers or horns 13 (FIGS. 1and 3). The horns are adapted to be inserted horizontally through twoadjacent holes 21 of the panel 20 and then lock against the panel tohold the hanger 10 in outwardly extending relation from the panel.

Various types of merchandise, either packaged or unpackaged, may be hungfrom the loop hook and displayed in front of the panel. The extremeouter end portion of the loop hook is turned upwardly to help retain themerchandise on the arm.

The brace and scanner arm of the merchandise hanger assembly areintegrally formed from a single piece of wire. More specifically, theinner portion 14 of the scanner arm bridges the horizontally spaced arms11 near their inner ends and is connected thereto. This inner portion 14of the scanner arm serves as a brace for the loop hook.

By way of a pair of 90° bends, offset 90° from each other, themid-portion 15 of the scanner arm is made to extend substantiallyparallel to the horizontally spaced arms 11 in laterally offset relationthereto. The mid-portion of the scanner arm thus is offset laterallyfrom the entire loop hook.

The end portion 16 of the scanner arm, as shown in FIG. 1, is adapted topermit the display of a price tag, especially one that may be read withan electric scanner. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows an extruded,transparent plastic holder 30 which is adapted to carry a price tag (notshown) printed with price, stock number, or other information relatingto the merchandise on the arm. The outer portion 16 of the scanning armis configured so that this particular type of plastic holder 30 may beclipped onto it, i.e., it has a series of three 90° bends. Other typesof holders may be used and, therefore, the outer portion 16 may beconfigured in other ways compatible with different holders. Indeed, theprecise manner in which the price tag is carried on the outer portion 16of the scanning arm is a matter of convenience. Entirely different meansmay be used, such as welding or adhering a plate upon which tags may behung or stuck.

The merchandise hanger assembly of the subject invention preferably ismade from two pieces of wire, such as C1008 or C1010 grade steel wirehaving a diameter of from about 0.15 to about 0.25 inches. This type ofwire, and other suitable wire is commercially available from a number ofsources. The wire may be bent, shaped, and welded together byconventional tools and methods. It will be appreciated, however, that,as compared to the prior art, the merchandise hanger assembly of thesubject invention requires less welding, and thus, is more cheaply,easily, and reliably manufactured.

That is, with prior art designs such as that discussed above, each endof the brace member must be welded across the arms of the loop hook. Thescanning arm then is welded to the brace. A total of three welds isrequired. With the design of the subject invention, however, only twowelds 17 are required. One weld is located between the inner end portionof one of the arms 11 and the free end portion of the brace 14 while theother weld is located between the inner end portion of the other arm andthe opposite end portion of the brace. Manufacture is economized and therisk of defective welds is diminished. Yet, the novel hanger still hasthe advantage of being braced across the loop hook and is provided aswell with a scanning arm.

If desired the hanger assembly may be made from other materials, such asmolded acrylonitrile butyldiene styrene pieces which are ultrasonicallywelded together. The same advantages of having a reduced number of weldswill be achieved.

While this invention has been disclosed and discussed primarily in termsof specific embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be limitedthereto. Other modifications and embodiments will be apparent to thosewho work in the art.

I claim:
 1. A merchandise hanger assembly fabricated from wire andcomprising first and second horizontally spaced arms connected at theirouter ends and defining a generally U-shaped configuration when viewedfrom above, means for attaching said first and second arms to aperforated panel, a brace member extending across and connected to saidfirst and second arms, and a third arm located above and extendingsubstantially parallel to said first and second arms and adapted tocarry means for displaying a merchandise tag, said hanger assembly beingcharacterized in that said brace member and said third arm are definedby a single piece of wire.
 2. A merchandise hanger assembly comprisingfirst and second laterally spaced and outwardly extending wire armsintegrally joined at their outer ends and defining a generally U-shapedconfiguration when viewed from above, means adjacent the inner ends ofsaid arms for attaching said arms to a perforated panel, a generallyhorizontal brace extending laterally across and welded to the inner endsof said arms, a scanner arm having an upright portion joined to one endof said brace and having an outwardly extending portion joined to theupper end of said upright portion, the outwardly extending portion ofsaid scanner arm being located above and being offset laterally fromboth of said first and second arms, said outwardly extending portion ofsaid scanner arm having a laterally extending outer portion forsupporting a display tag, said brace and said scanner arm being definedby a single piece of wire.